Amend CSHB 1188 by adding a new section appropriately numbered to read as follows and renumbering the other sections accordingly: SECTION ____. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 56.004 to read as follows: Sec. 56.004. CONSIDERATION OF HOME EQUITY. (a) In determining the eligibility of an applicant for financial assistance or the financial need of an applicant in connection with an application for financial assistance, an institution of higher education, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan corporation, or other state officer or agency may not consider the amount of equity the applicant or the applicant's family owns in a homestead of the applicant or of a member of the applicant's family that is located in this state, unless otherwise required by federal law. (b) In this section, "financial assistance" includes a student loan, grant, scholarship, or work-study.